Image Forming System Paper Crossing Process Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming systems, when an abnormality occurs in an apparatus, downstream devices continue processing paper that has not completed all processes due to being mixed with incomplete paper, leading to wasteful processing and user inconvenience in identifying ineffective paper.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a hardware processor that determines whether processes are completed for crossing paper spanning multiple apparatuses, optimizing subsequent processing by identifying effective or ineffective paper and controlling downstream units accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the downstream apparatus continues processing when the causing apparatus stops, then paper conveyance is maintained and potential waste is reduced, but ineffective paper undergoes wasteful processing and mixing with effective paper occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The downstream apparatus receives feedback information from the causing apparatus about abnormality occurrence and paper effectiveness status. Based on this feedback, the downstream apparatus intelligently adjusts its processing behavior - continuing for effective paper to maintain productivity, and stopping for ineffective paper to avoid wasteful processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The downstream apparatus dynamically changes its operational state based on real-time conditions. It transitions between continuing processing and stopping processing depending on whether the crossing paper is determined to be effective or ineffective, optimizing the balance between productivity and energy efficiency.
2Device complexity
If the downstream apparatus performs the same process for all paper, then processing simplicity is maintained, but ineffective paper is processed unnecessarily causing waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the effectiveness of crossing paper in advance before the downstream apparatus processes it. By performing this determination action preliminarily, the downstream apparatus can avoid unnecessary processing of ineffective paper, preventing paper waste while maintaining simple processing control for effective paper.
3Ease of operation
If effective paper and ineffective paper are discharged to the same tray, then discharge simplicity is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates due to difficulty in identifying ineffective paper
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the paper discharge by separating effective paper and ineffective paper into different trays or locations. This segmentation preserves the simplicity of discharge operations while maintaining clear distinction between effective and ineffective paper, preventing information loss about paper effectiveness and improving user convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image forming system which optimizes subsequent processes for crossing paper when a causing apparatus has stopped in the state in which paper is spanning the causing apparatus and a downstream apparatus. The image forming system conveys the paper from a first apparatus (the causing apparatus) to a second apparatus (the downstream apparatus) connected to the first apparatus. The image forming system 1 includes a conveying unit and a hardware processor. The conveying unit conveys the paper. The hardware processor determines, in a case where the paper is normally conveyed by the conveying unit across the first apparatus and the second apparatus, whether processes of the first apparatus has been completed for crossing paper which is the paper spanning the first apparatus and the second apparatus, when the first apparatus stops due to an abnormality.